CIB detains 4 suspects in alleged blackmail scheme

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB, 刑事局) announced yesterday that it arrested a total of four suspects in Northern Taiwan that were allegedly involved in blackmail scheme.

In a released statement, the CIB said police raided several locations in Taipei, New Taipei and Hsinchu cities as well as Taoyuan County and arrested four suspects.

During the raids the police also confiscated computers and other key evidence that the crime ring allegedly used to blackmail their potential victims, the CIB said.

The CIB said its Hsinchu branch had been receiving tips since last November that the crime ring, led by chief suspect surnamed Chien (簡), obtained the personal information from a local tech company's client list.

The CIB said that the crime ring allegedly used the information to threaten victims by saying they would publicly releasing the data of these clients if they refused to pay two million yuan.

After months of preparation, police launched raids at several locations in these areas and arrested Chien and another three suspects.

The case is now being investigated by the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office, and the suspects are facing charges of blackmail.